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Prius 2006,first time owner!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Prius2006GuitarGuy, Sep 1, 2024.

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  1. Prius2006GuitarGuy

    Prius2006GuitarGuy Junior Member

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    Hey guys!

    This is my first car that I bought, it's 18 years old (Prius, Gen 2, 2006) but 3 days old to me! ;)

    It's coming up to it's service time at 33500km (around 207000 miles) and going to need servicing soon.

    I don't know much about cars so I was thinking it would be a good experience to learn by doing things, I'm a DIY sort of guy and like working with my hands.

    Would appreciate it if you told me what needs to be done (self service?) and any links to help me on my way, what I can do I shall try to do,what's out of my range -I shall hand over to a pro mechanic:cool:.

    Thanks!
     
    bisco likes this.
  2. MAX2

    MAX2 Member

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    Check, or better yet, replace engine, transmission, and brake fluids.
    Buy an OBDII scanner. It will help with diagnostics of various systems.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Congrats and welcome!
    Do you know any of the maintenance history of the car?
     
  4. Prius2006GuitarGuy

    Prius2006GuitarGuy Junior Member

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    Thanks! I was on youtube and they spoke about an obd scanner as well, just confused as to which one is good or will work withn the Prius as some say they are not hybrid combatible.

    Can you recommend any one of these (Amazon Sweden):
    amazonDOTse/s?k=obd2+scanner (remove the DOT as it won't let me post a link)

    Will look on youtube to change those fluids you mentioned. Do I also change any air filters?

    He told me it was serviced at regular intervals but I didn't get the service record, the guy was supposed to contact me after he finds it but not sure now...
     
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  5. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    Take a look at this thread: https://priuschat.com/index.php?posts/3290690
     
  6. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Get a good Autel. All the cheaper ones only scan part of the car. With one that old you want to be able to diagnose the whole thing.
     
  7. Prius2006GuitarGuy

    Prius2006GuitarGuy Junior Member

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    How about this one?

    amazonDOTse/-/en/AL319-diagnostic-vehicles-real-time-definition/dp/B01M2WTO2K/

    (remove the DOT from the above Amazon URL)
     
  8. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    No.

    Try Autel AP200.
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Most readers don’t play nicely with Prius due to the complexity of the ecu system
     
  10. MAX2

    MAX2 Member

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    Read here, everything is written in detail about OBD-II
    Hybrid Assistant: OBD
     
  11. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    The link you provided discusses OBD2 adapters that work well for the Hybrid Assistant app. What the OP needs is an OBD2 adapter (like the Autel AP200) that can communicate with all the different ECUs in a Prius and read the trouble codes that have been activated. When the OP does have problems with the Prius, a scan tool will be needed to read the trouble codes. See post # 5.
     
    #11 Brian1954, Sep 4, 2024
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2024
  12. MAX2

    MAX2 Member

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    For more detailed diagnostics I use Techstream. This Toyota program for Toyota and Lexus cars.

    For daily monitoring of parameters I only need an OBD-II connector and an Android phone.

    If Autel AP200 helps someone, then that's good.

    All that remains is to compare the economy.
    For the first option you need a connection cable + laptop.
    For the second, an OBDII scanner + phone.
     
  13. Prius2006GuitarGuy

    Prius2006GuitarGuy Junior Member

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    That's a bit expensive, will buy it if need be but no cheaper option than the AP200?
     
  14. MAX2

    MAX2 Member

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    What are your goals?
    For your own satisfaction of the information flow?
    Or to open a car service business?
     
  15. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    I cannot say about Sweden, but in the USA the cost for the Autel is less than a single diagnostic fee at a repair shop.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  16. Prius2006GuitarGuy

    Prius2006GuitarGuy Junior Member

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    Def *not* a car service business :LOL:

    My goal is to find out what needs fixing, getting info on how to fix it, if possible do it myself - if it's too big a job or too complicated for my butt: go to a mechanic.;)


    Good way to think about it I guess, I've never been to a mechanic since I got the car so I really don't know the costs right now.

    I'll look at FB marketplace and our local 2nd hand websites, if I don't get lucky I'll pick it up from Amazon. Thanks!
     
    #16 Prius2006GuitarGuy, Sep 5, 2024
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2024
  17. MAX2

    MAX2 Member

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    I suggested two less expensive methods.

    The peculiarity of many problematic DTCs is that they have subcodes that will not be shown by any device for 10 cents.
     
  18. Prius2006GuitarGuy

    Prius2006GuitarGuy Junior Member

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    Oops, I seem to have missed that, will go back up the thread and have a look...
     
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you don't have to get a scanner right away. why not watch you tube service videos to see what you can do without one.
    start by learning how to jack the car up, get it level on jackstands for safety, and change the oil.
    you're gonna need tools and equipment. everyone should own a simple, inexpensive digital multimeter.
    stop at a dealer and pick up oil and filter, and inquire about some service pricing to see how much you'll save doing it yourself.
    have you checked the spare and the jack? do you know how to change a tyre?
     
  20. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    What's great about the AP200 is that it gives you a full-car scan with sub-codes (like techstream) but without the cost of getting techstream software, a laptop or an interface cable.

    Granted, $70 isn't nothing but I have not seen a less expensive way of getting a truly comprehensive diagnostic system for a Prius.

    The Dr. Prius and Hybrid Assistant apps seem pretty cool, but neither of them can do full-car diagnostics on a Prius. So I could see where they are helpful when you've already got Techstream... but they aren't replacements for Techstream.
     
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